Woman Charged In Husband's Death

GLOUCESTER — A Northumberland County man was shot and killed by his estranged wife in a room they shared at the Gloucester Inn Motel Tuesday, said Gloucester Sheriff Robin P. Stanaway.

Kevin Jerome Middleton, 26, of Edwardsville, died of a single gunshot wound to the lower abdomen around 1:30 p.m., Stanaway said. He said Charelle R. Middleton, 22, of White Stone, admitted shooting her husband during an argument.

After the shooting, she went to the front desk and called a telephone company operator and said a man had been shot, Stanaway said.

Kevin Middleton was pronounced dead at the scene. When deputies arrived, Charelle Middleton gave up without a struggle, Stanaway said.

Mrs. Middleton was charged with second-degree murder and use of a gun in the crime late Thursday, and was being held in the county jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond, said Deputy Brian Sharp. Second-degree murder is a murder committed without premeditation, and is usually described as occurring in the heat of passion.

Stanaway would not comment on the nature of the dispute between the couple. He said there was no sign of a struggle in the room the Middletons shared at the motel, which is located on Route 17 near the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge.

Kevin Middleton checked into the motel around 8 a.m. and brought his wife to the room later in the morning, Stanaway said. He said the shooting took place around 1 p.m.

The couple had been married for about two years but had separated several months ago, Stanaway said.

Police seized a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol they believe to be the murder weapon, the sheriff added.

The motel manager said he was working in another room and was unaware of the shooting until the police came. The manager asked not to be identified.